Oktoberfest Tunes/B&S Symphonie

[Doc]

I finally got to test the Symphonie out with the group for which it’s most intended and try and work out any kinks. I recorded some tunes (they are obviously tuba-heavy) and put them in a playlist below if anyone cares to hear how this tuba sounds or if you like fun music. FWIW, this is the F tuba sound I’ve been wanting.

At the end of October in a normal year, we sound like a well-oiled machine, and we are wired tight. This year, however, not so much - this the second gig since March, so there are a few warts here and there with everyone, me included. And as the day went on (and temperatures changed), I was fighting pitch. The accordion tended to go flat, and I was going sharp, and that is obvious in some later tunes despite continuously pulling out. And I had the occasional squirrelly note because I was being mentally lazy or I didn’t push the paddle down all the way, or was just off. But I always enjoy it. Plus, I get to let my hair down in small spots occasionally, so it’s extra fun. And as a bonus, I do get a few lead sheets for tunes I don’t know well (no written tuba parts).

Regardless, we actually had a gig, the crowd was great, we had fun, we got paid, and they want us back.

Playlist is here:
Auf Geht’s

[prairieboy1]

Thanks so much for posting these video clips! The tuba sounds terrific and the tuba playing is what I and many others aspire to reach. Superb sense of time and the right notes in the right places. Your Symphonie F is a perfect fit. Well Done!

[Doc]

Thanks so much for posting these video clips! The tuba sounds terrific and the tuba playing is what I and many others aspire to reach. Superb sense of time and the right notes in the right places. Your Symphonie F is a perfect fit. Well Done!

You’re kind to say that.

[jtm]

That's a really nice sound! Did you have a stereo mic on your phone, too?

[Doc]

That's a really nice sound! Did you have a stereo mic on your phone, too?

Thanks.

The mic is whatever comes on an iPhone XS Max. Nothing external was used. You can hear it limit/compress when the pressure gets too high with the full band (which can be really annoying when recording in small spaces), but it’s not bad in open areas.

[bort2.0]

Uuuuugh, that makes me want an F tuba! I just love that F tuba sound when it's not wasted on playing silly nonsense tuba solos!

[matt g]

Great playing, @Doc!

[Three Valves]

Even your vocalist and drummer are good!!

I listened to this through my wife’s stereo last night, Wow!!

[Doc]

Even your vocalist and drummer are good!!

I listened to this through my wife’s stereo last night, Wow!!

Thanks. That means you got past the first song or two. The problem with a playlist is that most people listen to the first tune, maybe two, but they miss the meat and potatoes that follow. Some of the better tunes are way down the playlist.

I put those particular first couple of tunes at the beginning because the tuba is easily heard, but the drawback is you can hear all the mistakes. LOL

But if folks go farther down the list, Trompetenecho, Die Fischerin von Bodensee, Ein Fest der Musik, and Pennsylvania Polka have some tuba stuff, some fast stuff, and some of the others have some bass lines that are partnering with accordion.

I am not as fond of how it sounds through my car stereo as much as I am through a good pair of headphones. Shamefully, I don’t really have a nice home stereo anymore, but I wish I did. Glad you liked it, warts and all

[Doc]

Great playing, @Doc!

Thanks.

[jtm]

Uuuuugh, that makes me want an F tuba! I just love that F tuba sound when it's not wasted on playing silly nonsense tuba solos!

So, ... is that the F tuba sound? (asking as someone without a proper tuba education)
It's like the Lonely Goatherd sound.

[Doc]

Uuuuugh, that makes me want an F tuba! I just love that F tuba sound when it's not wasted on playing silly nonsense tuba solos!

I am a tuba junkie, and I love everything tuba, but I agree that solo music is not the be-all-end-all in all of tubadom.

In the tuba world, solos have their place, but it is actually an incredibly small portion of what tuba players actually do, with some notable-but-rare exceptions. And I do enjoy listening to some of those rare exceptions regularly, but I listen almost daily to F tuba played in German brass bands. Those guys make my kind of work seem so galdarned stinkin easy!

From my perch atop my tall soapbox, it occurs to me that, with the CC/F snobbery that still exists all across the US, you would think F tuba would get more play, more use. Strangely, the CC/F elitists have compartmentalized F tuba (solos, quintet, orchestra) in the same way they have compartmentalized BBb (little kids and amateurs) and Eb (brass banders, Brits, ancient history). But then again, other types of “not-legit” music often aren’t taken seriously by those same elites, so there is no need to promote F tuba in other types of music. Or so it seems... Heck, I just want to use the right tool for the job.

*gratuitous name-dropping and cheap bona fides*
@Alex C heard me play at Tomball German Fest a few years ago. He didn’t realize it was F tuba. When I mentioned it, he was very complimentary. I really took that to heart, as I admire him as a player and think highly of his opinions. But he agreed that F tuba can definitely be used effectively in blasmusik and Oktoberfest-style music. He also stated that those Germans know what they are doing. He was schlepping around a 6/4 BMB at the end of a long, hot day, so I’m sure he meant what he said.

Doc (Who thinks the idea of F tuba being strictly a “solo” instrument or for certain pieces in orchestra is a bunch of happy horse hockey)

[bort2.0]

Uuuuugh, that makes me want an F tuba! I just love that F tuba sound when it's not wasted on playing silly nonsense tuba solos!

So, ... is that the F tuba sound? (asking as someone without a proper tuba education)
It's like the Lonely Goatherd sound.

I'm not sure it is THE F tuba sound, nor do I think there is a singular definitive F tuba sound. However, I really like THIS F tuba sound. Clear and full and resonant, but lighter. I forget the exact quote, but something like "the sound of a large man walking lightly."

[hup_d_dup]

The problem with a playlist is that most people listen to the first tune, maybe two, but they miss the meat and potatoes that follow. Some of the better tunes are way down the playlist.

If you didn't get to Trompetenecho you missed some impressive playing.

Hup

[Three Valves]

The problem with a playlist is that most people listen to the first tune, maybe two, but they miss the meat and potatoes that follow. Some of the better tunes are way down the playlist.

If you didn't get to Trompetenecho you missed some impressive playing.

Hup

[Lch3]

Thanks for sharing, Doc. You seem to play with great ease and relaxed (nonchalant even) producing a pleasing rich tone. Great job!

Curious, was there a microphone on the tuba or did it project well enough in the venue on its own?

Thanks.

[Doc]

If you didn't get to Trompetenecho you missed some impressive playing.

Well, I'm working at it anyway. It's kinda like high notes - If you hit it, you're a hero. If you miss it, you're a bum. But at least we go down swinging.

Thanks for sharing, Doc. You seem to play with great ease and relaxed (nonchalant even) producing a pleasing rich tone. Great job!
Curious, was there a microphone on the tuba or did it project well enough in the venue on its own?

We run everything through the PA. I use a Shure instrumental clip-on mic - Shure PGA98H-XLR Clip-on Condenser Microphone It reproduces the tuba sound clearly and it has great low frequency response. The only thing I might do different is get the wireless option. If I ever add a helicon to the mix, that's exactly what I'll do.

[bloke]

always liked Anneliese

[Doc]

always liked Anneliese

It's a goodern!

[sdloveless]

I had one of these playing last night when my wife walked in the room. She normally doesn't have much to say about the music I listen to, but she did then. "Wow! That tuba sounds really nice."